About Glass Tile

dedwards · Guest

Hello. I am about to start tiling portions of a bathroom using Bisazza tile. I have been reading many thoughts on how best to ensure a sound installation and have a few questions...

1. Vanity. We will be installing these tiles around a double bowled vanity. This structure was built by my carpenters and is now wrapped with cement board. Do i need to use an anti fracture membrane here?

2. Long wall that leads into shower. I have one long wall that I would like to have in Bisazza. 1/3 of the wall will be inside of the shower the other 2/3 will be outside the shower. Again, do I need to use a anti fracture membrane here?

3. Cutting Bisazza. I have several areas where cuts will likely be needed. What is the best method for cutting these tiles. They are small, so i am not sure if the wet saw approach is the best.

Any advice would really be appreciated.

thanks,
in advance - dedwards

John D · Joined: 23 Sep 2004 Posts: 6 Location: Bowen Island BC

Hello DE, can you tell us the size of tile. Also if you register we can not only see each other - you'll also get an automatic notice when people add notes to this thread.
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John

Guest · Posted: Sat Jan 01, 2005 11:41 pm Post subject:

Hi Dedwards:

1- More than an anti fracture membrane, you will definitely need waterproofing for the sinks. From your brief description, it sounds like the sinks are built in a wood structure that has been covered in cement board. Neither product is waterproof. Often cement boards are confused with waterproof material, but they are only water resistant. A full waterproof membrane will be required to keep water inside the sink. You will also need to carefully consider the drain and overflow details...

There are two main types of waterproofing materials that come to mind: liquid applied, usually with some reinforcing fabric, and sheet applied (either glued or "peel and stick"). The one big advantage of these waterproofing systems is that they also double as anti-fracture membranes. Keep in mind that if you are tiling over the membrane you should choose one that is designed for this purpose.

2- The long wall that leads into the shower should also be waterproofed and many of the same comments apply again. Here the need for waterproofing is not as rigorous, since we are talking about a vertical surface, and some of it does not even get wet. But for my money, you should not even consider doing the job without a waterproof/anti-fracture membrane installed under the tile. This is your only chance to do it right.

A 3- Cutting Bisazza tile is relatively simple. The small module of tile allows you to simply peel off the tiles that need to be cut, and then you can continue to install the rest of the sheet normally. Later you can trim the last remaining tiles and install them at your leisure.

Cutting the small tiles can be done in two ways: the first and most traditional method is to trim the individual tiles with tile nippers. Apply the nipper to the outside edge of the tile that needs to be trimmed (pinch the smallest possible piece) and gently squeeze the nippers until the tile breaks off. The trimmed tile(s) can be installed individually with a little thinset dabbed at the back.

The second method of cutting the Bisazza tiles involves using a tile saw. A small ring saw (for jewelry) or one of the inexpensive table saws such as produced by Plasplugs or Felker fitted with an electroplated diamond blade does a great job. Because of the small size of tile, you will need to fashion a wooden tile holder not unlike what carpenters use to push a small piece of wood on a table saw. If this sounds complicated, stick to method number 1. It is safe, inexpensive and well tested.

Happy tiling.

Kim